PORT Douglas stitched up the AFL Cairns minor premiership with a thumping 55-point win over Cairns Saints on Saturday.

The Crocs recovered from a slow start to break clear in the second half at Griffiths Park. They were held goalless in the opening quarter for the first time this year and even trailed by six-points at the main change.

But a 6.1 to 2.1 third term saw normal programming resume as the Crocs put the foot on the throat of last year's premier. Declan Kelly continued his blistering form with another best-on-ground performance, supported superbly by usual suspects Todd Shapter, Brett McKeown, Pete Bury, Paul Lewis and Sam Scally.

Port Douglas extended their 24-point three-quarter-time lead with a 8.5 to 3.2 final term to run away with an emphatic 19.10 (124) to 10.7 (67) victory.

Captain Kye Chapple booted another five-goals to take his season tally to 98. He'll have the opportunity to reach the 100 goal milestone for a second straight season when the Crocs take on Centrals Trinity Beach next week at Crathern Park.

AFL CAIRNS - ROUND 18
Cairns Saints 2.3       5.4 7.5 10.7 (67)
Port Douglas 0.3       4.4 11.5 19.10 (124)

PORT DOUGLAS
Goals: Chapple 5, Glass 3, Bohm 2, Mayne 2, McCullough 2, Bury, Macleod, McKeown, Mawson, Wearmouth.
Best: Kelly, Shapter, McKeown, Bury, Lewis, Scally.